On July 20 the Greenbelt City Council held a far-ranging conversation with Dr. Ellen Harris, director of the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) as part of its series of stakeholder meetings. The last such meeting was held roughly two years ago with previous director Dr. Joseph Spence. Topics addressed included the center’s budget and organization, its projects and infrastructure, as well as how it is controlling various wildlife on the grounds. Harris also announced that BARC is bringing back its Public Field Day, to be held Saturday, September 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wildlife Control The city has received an inquiry from resident Joe Murray suggesting that Greenbelt undertake a tick control program to help combat the spread of Lyme disease and other tickborne viruses. Council asked its neighbor whether they had such a program. Harris said that while BARC has a tick research BARC Director Ellen Harris Converses with City Council by Diane Oberg program to help develop ways to combat ticks, it does not have a tick control program. It is also researching ways to control and combat bedbugs and stinkbugs. However, she did offer the city technical assistance should they need it. BARC is not currently doing anything regarding the Zika virus, although BARC’s insect control lab has been contracted. No funds have yet been appropriated by the federal government. Should they be, she said, BARC may be included. Other problem wildlife include deer, geese and beavers. Harris said BARC hosts controlled hunts for both deer and geese, but does not have a program aimed at beavers, which continue to be a problem. For more on this story, click here.
